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Venezuela crisis talks resume on hostile note

Venezuela’s political rivals resumed fraught Vatican-backed talks Friday, as they struggle to stabilize a volatile country stricken by food shortages.

The day could determine whether the sides maintain their fragile dialogue or whether antagonism and instability resurge in the oil-rich South American country.

A short time before the meeting got underway, President Nicolas Maduro declared that he had done everything in his power to achieve a resolution with opposition leaders who for months had been seeking to remove him.

“I have done everything, both possible and impossible, for there to be peace talks with the right — without ultimatums and without bullying,” the socialist leader said.

Mass street protests erupted after authorities last month blocked the opposition’s bid to hold a referendum on removing Maduro from office.

The two sides declared a “truce” at a first meeting 11 days ago and agreed to resume talks on Friday. The outlook appears combative.

Opposition MUD coalition leader Jesus Torrealba warned his side would seek early elections if Maduro keeps refusing a referendum, as he has vowed.

“The MUD is seeking an electoral solution to this crisis through the negotiating table,” Torrealba said.

“Venezuela is a pressure cooker. The recall vote was an escape valve, and the government sealed it up.”

Humanitarian relief

The MUD has demanded that its imprisoned members be released.

It wants a humanitarian corridor to be opened to get urgent food and medicine supplies into the country.

Maduro has vowed not to bow to pressure and ultimatums.

He said the government would on Friday present a plan for ending the crisis. He urged the MUD not to quit the talks.

“I want them to stay seated in the dialogue that is beginning. They must have patience,” he said on the radio.

Economic crisis

Under constitutional rules, the opposition must secure a referendum before January 10 if it wants to remove Maduro. Otherwise he or his allies will keep power until 2019.

Venezuela is rich in oil but short of food.

An economic crisis sparked by falling crude prices has led to shortages of basic supplies and soaring inflation.